Abstract: Thermal and Pressure Histories of the Malay Basin, Offshore Malaysia
Wan I. Yusoff, Richard E. Swarbrick
The Malay Basin is a Neogene intracratonic basin characterized by high heat flow and rapid sedimentation; moderate to high overpressure is common in deeper reservoirs. Thermal conductivity and temperature data from 55 wells have been used to reassess the areal and vertical heat-flow distribution within the basin. Anomalously high temperatures have been observed in some sandstone intervals above the overpressured reservoir section. A narrow to rather abrupt pressure transition zone could be recognized. All hydrocarbon-filled reservoirs seemed to be associated with high heat flow (i.e., about 90 mW/m2). Overpressure in some wells is approaching critical fracture pressure (i.e., 0.85 psi/ft. pressure gradient) in the region. In the central part of the basin, the overpressured ections are found within the shallower (<2000 m) hydrocarbon-bearing units. Selective studies of the temporal development of the pore pressure indicated that overpressure development is associated with episodes of rapid sedimentation.
A preliminary fluid flow model supported by pressure modeling is proposed whereby hot fluids are currently being expelled from deeper overpressured sandstone and mudrocks through a fractured seal induced by overpressure. The latter is caused by relatively rapid burial since late Tertiary times. Hydrocarbon migration may have been aided by this fluid movement.
AAPG Search and Discovery Article #90982©1994 AAPG International Conference and Exhibition, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, August 21-24, 1994